DAKNET

Rethinking Connectivity in Developing Nations

By S. Lakshmi Prasanna 08KT1A1215 IT

Contents
         Whats DakNet Developed By ICT Architecture Operation Economics In Action Advantages Future Scope

Whats DakNet
Dak-Hindi word meaning post or postal. DakNet-an ad hoc network uses wireless technology Takes advantages of the existing transportation and communication infrastructure to provide digital connectivity.

Developed By
MIT-Dr. Alex (Sandy) Pentland First Mile Solutions Richard Fletcher Amir Hasson

ICT(Information and Communication Technology)

 Communication channel shared across the community.  Real time communications-high capital investment.  Non-real time communication -Store & Forward, -Asynchronous mode of communication, -low cost. Example: o Voice mail o E-mail o Electronic bulletin board

Competitors: ICT Space Technology

4 types of technological alternatives :

DakNet Architecture
 Main components -Hub -Kiosk -Mobile Access Point(MAP)  Transmits data over short point-to-point links between kiosks/hub, called MAP.  Mounted on and powered by a bus, a motorcycle, or even a bicycle with a small generator.

MAP
 The Total cost of DAKNET MAP equipment used on the bus is $580, which include -A custom embedded PC running Linux with 802.11b wireless card -512 Mbytes of compact Flash memory -An100 mw amplifier -Cabling -mounting equipment -14 inch ohmi directional antenna. -An uninterruptible power supply

DakNet Operation
Village kiosks-sense Hub-synchronizes the data fro rural kiosks wireless connectionusing internet. upload and download.

Seamless Scalability
 Provide a Seamless method of upgrading to alwayson broadband connectivity.  Can use the same hardware, software, and user interface - real time information access.  With lowcost terminals and local user- interface design and application.  DAKNET makes it practical for individual household and private users to get connected.

Daknet Economics
 Capital cost of DAKNET hub providing connectivity to 12 surrounding villages.

Daknet In Action
 Villages in India and Cambodia are active using DAKNET with good results.  Affordable rural connectivity solution for the Bhoomi e-governance project.  DAKNET is implemented in 20 villages in Orissa which about 75 miles away from Bhubaneswar.

Bhoomi Initiative In India  Bhoomi, an initiative to computerized land records is

recognized as the first national e-governance initiative in India .  Implemented by Karnataka State Govt. by means of bus equipped with DAKNET MAP to transport land record request from each village kiosks to Taluka server.  The server processes requests and output land records.  Bus then delivers records to each village kiosk.

 A session occur each time the bus comes within range of kiosk and MAP transfers data.  The average Length of session 2 min,34 sec.  During data transfer 20.9 Mbytes unidirectional & twice that amount bidirectional.  Actual data throughput for a session is 2.47Mbps & kiosk is go in out connection.

DAKNET ADVANTAGES
 DAKNET allows for low cost, low power radio devices to be used.  The use of short distance radio- links also ensures high data rated  Does not have the interference problem, Security problem.  And maintenance cost associated with long distance wireless links.

Potential Application
     Internet /Intranet Messaging Information Distribution/Broadcasting Information Collection Rural Supply Chain Management Information Searching, web Services

NEXT STEPS SCALING IT UP..

To be deployed and tested in large implementations with applications that exploit in broadband capabilities. R&D focus-lowering the costs of interoperable and cross platform software module so that deployment process can be streamlined.